obsessive bottoming out
 

after the stock shocks on my 2007 rx8 went bad, i went to pettit racing and the guy ordered me tokico blue gas shocks with vogtland lowering springs. Installed it myself using DIYs from this forum. Car bottomed out on small bump and everyday driving caused it to bottom out. So i went ahead and assumed it was the springs so i upgraded by purchasing Eibach springs. I installed them a few days ago and the car STILL bottoms out at 4mph on the slightest bump, also after driving i can smell the rear tires from rubbing. The front is perfect im only having this issue with the rear. I am on stock wheels and i have to fix this problem before mounting the new rims i already have purchased. Can brand new Eibach springs be bottoming out or is it something besides the springs and shocks?

hmm, it shouldn't be doing that... you should take some pics of the shocks and car. maybe some suspension component is off

Here's my coilover setup. (I had MS springs on before tho)

https://sphotos-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/h...64271154_n.jpg

Double check what you did, make sure everything is installed correct and tight...

I triple checked and made sure everything is tight. I even used lock tight. I'm assuming there has to be some other component of the suspension that is causing this but I have no idea. I'll post pics tomorrow during the day

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also something that came to my mind is that when installing the front springs I had to use a spring compressor and for the rear I could do it easily by just pushing it down. does that mean the springs are too short? idk because I specifically ordered the springs from Eibach for 2007 rx8

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@ toke,

That is normal. The rears are really soft. Are you at the highest point for the rear adjuster? Is there also an adjuster on the top that you can use? Or a spacer that goes on the top?

What did they say? I am playing with spring rubbers with a lot of success (and some failures) to work ride height and spring rates. I can share.

Or, take the bags of concrete out of the trunk.. Was the suspension loaded when you took that picture? Are you running an extreme offset on the tires?

I'd like to know the measurement you have on both side or the rear. Measure from the highest point of the fender whell to the center of the hub and tell me what you have.

What tire/rim size you have on there right now, and what are the new ones going to be?

With the car jacked up (cant even fit my phone without jacking the car up)
Attachment 224841


Attachment 224842


Attachment 224843


Standing up shot
Attachment 224844


These are the Vogtland springs i thought went bad which is why i bought Eibachs.
Attachment 224845

The Eibachs were less than an inch longer than the Vogtlands but the car sits in the same position.


@Mazurfer Drivers side rear = 13 1/8"
Passengers side rear = 13 1/8" (about 1/16 higher but thats such a tiny difference)
I have stock wheels, 18x8 and the aftermarket wheels i bought are XXR 530s, I originally bought 18x8.75 +35 front, and 18x9.75 +20 rear. Rear offset is completely wrong so i have to return the rears and im probably going to just do 18x8.75 all round.

@04green , I dont have coilovers if thats what you're referring to by adjustments. If you meant the nut that holds the strut hat to the whole assembly, i tightened that completely until it stops. (the one with an allen key in the middle)

My bad, I looked at the wrong picture...

Um, that is way low... The spring on the car car looks progressive, it looks like the soft part is way too soft, then you have nothing left. I am chasing a similar problem on mine. There is just not a good spring (regular ride height, progressive, firm enough to work. There are old posts about folks trying to get together and get a group buy on custom springs.

I am playing with spring rubbers at this time, but have the wrong ones. I did solve ride height and bottoming out, but not correctly (longacre rubber I bought is a tad too stiff, and not tall enough to fill gap with car jacked, can fall out). I can tell you what I am going to buy next if you are interested.

I went to Mazda yesterday and checked what was supposed to go on my 8 and the guy said something about super stiff sports suspension or something and I ordered 2 OEM rear springs for $160. Pretty cheap for dealer parts. I'm hoping this will solve the problem and also make my car sit higher in the back (how its supposed to be) . I'll keep you guys posted when I get the springs this Wednesday and install them.

Posted From RX8Club.com Android App

So I just picked up the OEM super hard sports suspension (whatever mazda calls it) springs for the rear and installed them. Ride height was high at first but after a quick test drive it came to what I'd say is the perfect height. I sat 3 people in the car and took a speed bump at 22mph and no bottoming out. I'd say the problem is fixed. Now time to get an RMA from Eibach because they are the most hard headed people on this planet. They sell one type of springs for ALL rx8s when each rx8 has a different suspension. Wish me luck guys, thank you.

FatCatMotorsports bump stops.

I'm bottoming out too, have been
 

Hey but I have original struts/suspension...I have known this but have waited being economically challenged...now I am forced dash light is on like I have a tire low and driver's side rear is about an inch lower than passenger side(can't even see the top of the tire oops) Anyway financially speaking I don't want to lower, but can only do two rears now...Do I need just springs or full strut assembly? Car still seems to ride OK low on fuel and just me in her....What is my best bet without lowering but improve performance? I was looking at Mazdaspeed? Help...

Both the springs and shocks play a role in ride height. If you are sagging it is likely due to worn shocks or springs, or both. More often than not it is the shocks. Just pick up a set of used stock shocks, you can get them for next to nothing. If you can afford all new suspension (shocks and springs), then don't bother buying new.